One of the images of the Human Empowerment campaign

Press Release

Barcelona, June 21, 2019 – On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on June 26, Dianova launches the ‘Human Empowerment’ campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness about the need to promote holistic addiction treatment services based on people’s empowerment and individual development, and integrating a gender perspective.

Through this unique concept, the campaign will be developed in three phases, under the following themes: to regain one’s capacity to choose and embrace one’s life, to promote education and life skills, and finally, to foster empowerment and regain power over one’s life.

Disorders related to alcohol and other substances have spread dramatically and no nation remains immune to their considerable human and economic costs. To address these issues, most countries have a range of support and treatment services, but enormous effort is needed to adapt these services to the special needs of people at all levels.

The campaign also intends to urge governments and the private sector to provide the necessary means for the development of programs adapted to the specific needs of all people. In particular, it aims to highlight the links between gender and addiction and the specific needs of women who require treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Women are particularly affected by inequality when it comes to accessing treatment services. Women with substance use disorders are victims of prejudice and discrimination. Not only are they ‘labeled’ as consumers of alcohol or other drugs, but also as having failed in their traditional roles as mothers and wives. The impact of this double stigma speaks volume: out of five people receiving treatment, only one is a woman!